VERNON — I just received a letter from Brattleboro Area Middle School teachers Julianne Eagan and Liz Scanlon stating, “Reading logs will be due on the first day of eighth grade, and, at that time, students will have an opportunity to share their summer reading experience with their peers. It is important for you and your student to know that these reading logs will be counted toward the first quarter fall grades.”
Vermont law says: “A person having the control of a child between the ages of six and 16 years shall cause the child to attend a public school, an approved or recognized independent school, an approved education program, or a home study program for the full number of days for which that school is held.”
BAMS is not in session during summer months. The former year closed, and the new one has not yet begun. During this time, kids are free from school jurisdiction. You cannot legally force students to read and keep a log between school years as part of grades for the coming year and penalize them with lower grades if they don't.
Summertime reading has high value, and I highly encourage all kids do it. If you want students to read during this time, instead offer a non-grade incentive upon return, such as an ice-cream social or BAMS bucks.
Regardless, kids cannot be bullied with unjust threats if they choose not to read during the small amount of time they have off between school years.
This needs to be corrected immediately. Please promptly revise your plan and inform BAMS families of how you're fixing this error. Thank you.